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Chapter 32
Rose saw the butler off. Watching his figure leave the estate no longer felt as pitiful as before. The butler gave Rose a faint smile and greeted her.
“Please take care of yourself, madam.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be in touch.”
Gwen nodded at Rose’s words and climbed into the carriage. The wheels rolled away with a light clatter. Rose lifted her gaze to the sky, where the rain had already stopped. It was still overcast, but it would soon clear. She shook the water off the umbrella she was holding and snapped it shut with a tap. She stood there until Gwen’s carriage disappeared from sight.
“Ah—ah—achoo!”
She looked down at her completely soaked dress. Perhaps because she’d been drenched for too long, a chill crept over her.
“I think I’m getting cold.”
Feeling cold in the middle of summer—it was ridiculous, but not so strange after being caught in a storm. Hugging her arms around herself, Rose headed back into the mansion. On the second floor, someone was watching her: Eric, the very man who had driven the butler away. His expression was clearly displeased.
“All that fuss just to say goodbye to a mere butler.”
Seeing Rose drenched from head to toe made him frown even more. What was she doing, with no sense of decorum?
“She really does try to play the good person all by herself.”
Doana approached Eric, giggling.
“Looking like a drowned rat.”
She sneered at Rose’s miserable, soaked appearance. She had wondered if Rose might dare defy Eric’s orders and take the butler back in, but in the end, all she’d done was shake his hand. Relief washed over her—and at the same time, Rose’s helplessness amused her.
Right. What could you possibly do?
With the butler gone, Doana felt there was nothing left to fear. She glanced at Eric’s face. Judging by the deep crease between his brows, Rose’s behavior had clearly irritated him.
Should I try sweet-talking him now?
Doana was frustrated with Eric. He talked about getting a divorce, yet never actually took decisive action.
If a man’s made up his mind, he should act right away. Why is he dragging his feet?
She was already pregnant with Eric’s child. She should have felt secure, yet an uneasy feeling refused to fade. Was it because of Rose, who was so unpredictable? Or because of Eric, whose thoughts she couldn’t read?
I need to make him completely mine.
She casually leaned against Eric, then seductively traced her hand along his body. At her dizzying touch, Eric—who had been staring out the window—turned toward her. When their eyes met, Doana half-lowered her lashes and said,
“Hold me.”
“Madam.”
“You must be cold. Come this way.”
As soon as she entered the mansion, maids with reddened eyes greeted her, fluffy towels in their hands. They couldn’t hide the sadness in their gazes, likely feeling guilty for not being able to see Gwen off. They draped a large towel over Rose’s trembling shoulders. Jane stepped closer and gently patted the moisture from Rose’s hair.
“You’re soaked through.”
Dark shadows hung over the faces of Jane and the other maids. Saying that she had decided to take the butler in would instantly change the mood—but Rose didn’t say it.
I’m sorry to the maids, but it’s not the time yet.
If it reached Eric’s ears, things could get troublesome.
He’s petty—he might even interfere with my business.
Better to keep things quiet until the department store opened.
“I saw him off properly. When I shook the butler’s hand, the sky cleared as if by magic.”
Rose spoke in a bright voice, trying to lighten the mood.
“Isn’t it amazing? It felt like the sky itself was wishing him well.”
As her clear, gentle voice echoed, a few maids bowed their heads and wiped away tears.
“The look on his face as he boarded the carriage—he looked so peaceful. That’s enough. All we need to do is wish him well.”
None of this is your fault. That was how her words sounded to them. Rose smiled warmly at the tearful maids and headed to her room. Jane hurried after her.
“Thank you, madam.”
Jane hadn’t expected Rose to brave the storm to see Gwen off. She was deeply grateful. Gwen, who might have left the mansion all alone, had at least been seen off by the master she served. Reaching the door, Rose suddenly stopped. Holding the doorknob without opening it, she turned back to Jane. With a playful expression, she beckoned her closer. Jane tilted her head in confusion and stepped forward. Rose leaned in and whispered softly into her ear.
“I’m taking the butler with me. So don’t worry too much.”
Jane’s eyes widened instantly.
“W-What?”
Rose shushed her, pressing a finger to her lips.
“I’m only telling you, Jane. So cheer up now.”
Jane just blinked blankly. The tears that had threatened to fall were already gone.
“B-But why are you taking the butler with you?”
“Hmm. That’s still a secret. I’ll tell you once it’s more concrete.”
If the old Rose had said this, Jane might have doubted her immediately—wondering how someone who couldn’t even take care of herself could possibly take responsibility for the butler. But not now. The Rose before her was no longer helpless.
She must have her own plans.
Let’s trust her.
“Madam!”
Jane hugged Rose tightly, her face filled with emotion.
“Ah, Jane—get off me! You’ll get soaked too.”
Rose tried to push her away, but Jane only hugged her tighter.
“As expected, you’re the only one, madam.”
Rose smiled, patting Jane’s back.
“You’re impossible, really.”
She gave up pushing her away and gently comforted her, just as Jane had comforted her earlier.
“Ah—ah—achoo!”
As she patted Jane, Rose sniffled and sneezed. Jane suddenly came to her senses and lifted her head.
“This isn’t the time for that! Madam, you’re cold, aren’t you?”
Rose sniffed.
“I think I’m feeling a bit chilly.”
“Oh dear! It’d be terrible if you caught a cold!”
Jane’s voice rang loud again, as if she’d fully regained her energy.
“Let’s go inside first, madam. You need to take off those wet clothes.”
Jane practically pushed Rose into the room, then urgently grabbed at her dress.
“Oh, right—what I said earlier, only tell Sir Cern.”
In a gentle tone, Rose spoke, her mood lifted by Jane’s renewed energy.
Jane and Sir Cern… Even though they haven’t told me, the pink atmosphere between them is impossible to miss.
The looks they exchanged were intense. They’d never officially said, “We’re dating,” but it was obvious. The subtle care, the occasional natural skinship—people in office romances show it even when they try to hide it.
…Come to think of it, that’s how it was when I revealed I was dating Lee Dohyun, too.
‘You know, there’s probably no one who doesn’t know you two are together.’
‘Right? Honey was practically dripping from their eyes.’
When she’d finally gathered the courage to say it at a college drinking party, everyone’s reaction had been lukewarm. Apparently, it had been too obvious already. Everyone knew—except the two of them, who thought it was a secret. Remembering him wasn’t pleasant, but it helped Rose understand how her classmates must have felt.
Jane, who usually beamed whenever Sir Cern was mentioned, suddenly hardened her expression.
“…No. Please don’t tell Sir Cern.”
“H-Huh?”
Why was she acting like this today? Startled by Jane’s unusual attitude, Rose stared at her wide-eyed. Normally, she’d be squealing, “Of course you should tell Sir Cern!”
…That’s strange. Did they fight?
Rose glanced at Jane. Her eyes were blazing with fury. Faced with that burning gaze, Rose couldn’t hide her confusion.
S-Scary…
She could feel a wordless rage that promised Sir Cern wouldn’t be let off easily.
“Madam, from now on, don’t keep that bastard—no, that guy—close to you.”
Huh? Bastard? Rose had never seen Jane make such a fierce expression before. She’d always been all smiles, like an angel. She hadn’t known Jane could look so human.
Sir Cern must have messed up badly.
Rose hurriedly scanned Jane with a troubled gaze.
…Wait, the couple ring is gone?
She noticed that the ring Jane had always cherished was missing.
Oh no… It must’ve been a serious fight.
Taking off the ring meant it wasn’t something trivial.
That’s why Sir Cern’s been absent these past few days.
He’d shown up every day like clockwork, but hadn’t been seen since the day before yesterday. Rose had assumed he was just busy, but it seemed there had been trouble between him and Jane. Jane pressed her lips together as she looked at Rose, who knew nothing.
I need to tell madam. That from the start, that bastard Cern was attached to us to keep watch.
Just thinking about Cern made Jane’s chest ache.
…That jerk!
She hadn’t been able to tell Rose right away because she was so shaken herself. It had taken all her strength just to steady her emotions. But now, she needed to reveal everything. Jane, her eyes lowered, finally forced herself to speak.
“Um, madam… I need to tell you—”
At that moment, a maid knocked on Rose’s door. Knock, knock.
“Madam, the bath is ready.”
“Oh, thank you. I’ll be there soon.”
Rose replied immediately, sniffing.
“I should warm myself up in hot water. I keep feeling chilled.”
Murmuring cheerfully to herself, Rose turned back to Jane.
“Oh, Jane. What were you going to say?”
“Ah… I’ll tell you later.”
She couldn’t keep the shivering madam standing there like this. Shaking her head, Jane spoke softly.
“Okay, I understand.”
Rose nodded and stepped out of the room.
“I’ll escort you to the bathroom.”
The maid waiting outside seemed oddly restless. She fidgeted with her fingers, then pointed to the right.
“Um… Today, you’ll be using the bathroom over there…”
She trailed off, watching Rose’s reaction.
So there must be several bathrooms.
Seeing her point in a different direction than usual, Rose didn’t think much of it. She’d never assumed such a large mansion would have only one bathroom.
“Alright. Lead the way.”
The maid nodded quietly and guided her at a brisk pace.
“Please go in.”
With a clack, the door opened. Rose’s mouth fell open at the sight of a bathroom far larger and more luxurious than the one she usually used. The spaciousness aside, the entire room was filled with the scent of lavender. Flower petals floated in the bathtub, and scented candles were placed here and there. It felt like the kind of place where someone might even propose. The atmosphere was so lavish it felt excessive, leaving Rose bewildered.
“Then enjoy your time.”
With that, the maid left the bathroom. Normally she would assist Rose with bathing, but she hurried out instead. Left alone, Rose couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling.
“‘Enjoy your time,’ huh… Does that mean I should enjoy some alone time?”
The words sounded oddly strange. Tilting her head, Rose took off her robe. Only a thin slip remained, barely covering her. As she lifted the slip to remove it, the bathroom door suddenly burst open. Rose hastily lowered the garment and turned her head. When she looked toward the doorway, her expression instantly turned cold.
“…Eric?”
Eric was standing there, having entered with only a robe draped over him.
